E COLI 0157
Incubation period: 1 to 6 days
Common clinical features: Haemorrhagic colitis, haemolytic uraemic syndrome
Reservoir: It is found in the gastrointestinal tract of cattle and possibly other domesticated animals
Transmission: Humans become infected through the consumption of contaminated foods, particularly inadequately cooked minced beef (often in the form of undercooked beef burgers), milk (unpasteurised and contaminated post pasteurisation), and vegetables have been associated with cases or outbreaks. However, outbreaks have been associated also with yogurt, cooked meats, meat pies, cheese; dry cured salami, raw vegetables, unpasteurised apple juice and water. Person to person spread can occur by direct contact (faecal oral), particularly in households, nurseries, and infant schools. Contact with infected animals, particularly on farms or in animal sanctuaries.
Other relevant features:VTEC gives rise to a haemorrhagic colitis and about 5% of cases progress to the haemolytic uraemic syndrome, whose case fatality rate is about 10%
HTW has noted that amongst the submissions to the Committee on Toxicity (COT) it has been suggested that the symptoms highlighted by crew and passengers were akin to the condition of hyperventilation.
HTW has for many years received reports from concerned holiday makers or independent travellers as to the safety of their aircraft, ship or boat, train or road transport.
